Latest news with #MohamedSukriOmar
Focus Malaysia
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
'PAS Youth leader Sukri forgets Singapore's meritocracy offers equal chances, not ethnic-based'
IT IS understandable for Selangor PAS Youth Chief Mohamed Sukri Omar to be concerned about the status of Malay Muslims in Singapore. Sukri has claimed that he was not interfering in Singapore's domestic politics but merely expressing moral concern over the alleged marginalisation and political under-representation of the Malay Muslim community. However, his remarks came at a sensitive time – coinciding with Facebook (FB) postings from Australia urging Malays in Singapore to vote along ethnic and religious lines. This led to the Singaporean authorities having requested the FB administrator to remove or block such postings as they border on interference in the country's internal affairs, especially with general elections slared for May 3. While Sukri's concerns might stem from the ethnic and religious dynamics of Malaysian politics, it is neither appropriate nor wise to subtly recommend Malaysia's model of ethnic and religious governance to Singapore. In Singapore, it is not just the Malays but also the Indians who are sometimes considered marginalised communities. However, Singapore's emphasis on meritocracy, performance and hard work offers opportunities to all Singaporeans even if the pace of progress may be slow for some groups. Singapore excels in meritocracy By contrast, in Malaysia, meritocracy is constrained by ethnic-based privileges accorded to the majority community. While Malaysia has tremendous potential, it remains hampered by ethnic structures that inhibit full and equal participation across races and religions. I can understand Sukri's sentiment, but he must realise that imposing Malaysia's ethnic governance framework onto Singapore is unwise. We may have legitimate criticisms of Singapore's governance, particularly concerning minority communities but we must also acknowledge that the Singaporean system – however imperfect – allows for evolution, progress and reform. Meanwhile, Malaysia continues to grapple with systemic issues that prevent it from fully realising its diverse potential. While Sukri is entitled to his views and may feel a moral duty toward Malay Muslims in Singapore, he must exercise greater caution when making statements that may be construed as interference in another country's internal affairs. Given the challenges within their own system, Malaysian politicians should be humble and cautious in judging or commenting on Singapore's governance. – April 27, 2025 Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Malay Mail
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Selangor PAS Youth chief calls on ‘marginalised' Singaporean Malays to fight for rights, but denies election interference
KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar has urged the allegedly 'marginalised' Malays in Singapore to continue fighting for their rights in education and economy, and to preserve their cultural identity. Accused of attempting to influence Singapore's ongoing general election, he said he fully respects the country's sovereignty and laws and stressed that he had no intention to do so, either directly or indirectly. 'I stand firmly by the principle that any change must occur through peaceful means, in full respect of the law, and with the dignity of all parties upheld,' he wrote on Facebook. 'I call upon the Malay community in Singapore to continue striving with wisdom and prudence, to strengthen education, empower the economy, preserve cultural identity, and contribute actively to the development of their own nation.' He insisted that upholding justice, dignity, and the future of a people is not an act of 'foreign interference' when done with courtesy, principle, and love for humanity, without coercion or political incitement. Mohamed Sukri emphasised that Malays in Singapore deserve fair and equitable opportunities in all aspects of life as full citizens. He also asserted that speaking out against injustice is a moral and religious obligation, and that defending the Malay-Muslim identity strengthens genuine social justice rather than threatens peace. 'My calls and concerns were never aimed at intervening in the electoral affairs, but rather stem from my moral responsibility as a Muslim and as a person deeply concerned for the plight of the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore — a community increasingly marginalised in various aspects, whether in education, economy, or cultural freedom,' he said. He also urged Singaporeans to view his calls through the lens of 'love for the community and for humanity at large', rather than through the 'narrow lens of political suspicion'. On Friday, Singapore told Meta to block local access to several Facebook posts by foreigners allegedly attempting to influence the city-state's upcoming election. The posts were made by two leaders from the Malaysian Islamist party PAS, and an ex-Singaporean who is now an Australian citizen. PAS treasurer Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad has since slammed Singapore government's attempt to link his Islamist party and the opposition Workers' Party (WP) — calling it 'preposterous and counterproductive'.
South China Morning Post
26-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Singapore orders curb on 3 foreigners' Facebook posts for election interference
Singapore has ordered Facebook parent Meta to block Singaporeans' access to posts made by foreigners, ahead of an election under rules restricting their social media posts. Advertisement The Infocomm Media Development Authority issued the orders after some posts by foreigners were deemed as 'intended to promote or prejudice the electoral success or standing of a political party or candidate', the Elections Department and Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement on Friday. The city state's election on May 3, the first under the social media rules put in place by the government in 2023, is almost certain to be dominated by the People's Action Party, which has won the most seats in every election since independence in 1965. The rules bar foreigners from publishing online election advertising, which it defines as online materials that could help or hurt any political parties or candidates. Friday's statement identified the foreigners as Iskandar Abdul Samad, national treasurer of the Islamist party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia; Mohamed Sukri Omar, the party's youth chief in the Malaysian state of Selangor; and Facebook user 'Zai Nal', identified as Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, an Australian who renounced his Singapore citizenship in 2020. Advertisement Iskandar had expressed support for the opposition Workers' Party's Faisal Manap in a social media post.
